Russian Adoptions Update

The following is an update from the Joint Council on International Children's Services.  If you are in the process of adopting from Russia, please note the Joint Council survey at the end of this page. 

Would everyone else please join me in fervent prayer for the children and families affected, as well as those who are advocating at national and international levels.

Update: Putin Signs Law Banning Intercountry Adoption December 28, 2012   In what we can only describe as a tragedy, earlier today President Putin signed the ban on intercountry adoption. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2013 and while some details remain unclear, it is being reported that the law supersedes the bi-lateral adoption agreement between the US and Russia. The status of the adoptions currently in-process is not assured at this time. The closure of Russia to intercountry adoption follows what is now an all too familiar string of tragedies. Children in Vietnam, Nepal, Romania and too many other countries suffer the life-long effects of institutionalization due to the elimination of intercountry adoption as a viable option. However unlike other closures which were generally based on child protection issues, the Russian ban is particularly stinging in that it is an act of politics, pure and simple. As a professional advocate for children and the father of two Russian born children, this ban by the Russian government is a loss for my head and my heart….but most of all a loss for the children of Russia. Best Wishes, Tom DiFilipo President & CEO Joint Council reminds those families who are in the process of adopting from Russia of the U.S. Dept. of State’s requests that families currently in the process of adopting a child from Russia email the Department of State at AskCI@state.gov . Families should state the stage and status of their adoption and use “Intercountry Adoption in Russia – Family Update” in the subject line of the email Joint Council will continue to engage in collaborative efforts with and through US and Russian government officials, the Department of State, Congressional offices, Joint Council Partners, NGOs and advocates in both countries. We will provide updates on this situation as they become available. To receive Joint Council updates regarding Russia, individuals are urged to sign up for our Russia email alerts, which can be done by clicking here (Select “Country and Issue Specific Information” and then select “Russia”).     Joint Council's Russian Ban on Intercountry Adoptions Survey In response to the recent ban of intercountry adoptions in Russia, Joint Council is collecting information to create a database of families currently referred children in need of a permanent family. If referred more than one child, please complete the survey for each child you are in the process of adopting. You will need to provide information regarding your referral including the date and region of the referral and birthday of the child referred. Please contact your adoption service provider if you need additional information regarding your referral as accurate information is important. Information provided will be utilized to assess the extent of the situation and more effectively advocate for these cases. Please complete this survey if you have been referred a child, so we can fully assess all those involved. To assist with speedy advocacy, please ensure you have completed the survey by January 4, 2013. The information you provide will be shared with the US Department of State, members of Congress, and USCIS. Please click here to participate in the survey.

Russian Lawmakers Back a Bill Banning Adoptions from U.S.

On Wednesday, Russian lawmakers backed a bill that would ban adoption by U.S. families.  The action is widely seen as retaliation for U.S. sanctions against Russia for human rights violations.  I personally find this sadly ironic.

 

You can read a story in today's Daily Herald.  http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121226/news/712269883/

 

Here's how your voice can be heard.

 

Sasha D’Jamoos is a young Russian adoptee with special needs who last week started Voice of the Child, a campaign to encourage the continuation of adoptions between Russia and the United States. As part of his campaign, Sasha has published a letter and petition to President Putin. Please sign the petition and encourage others to do so as well. Click here to sign the petition and please forward to others who may be interested.

 

 

 

"Thriving As A Multiracial Family" Workshop

Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Tuesday, February 5, 2013, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Saturday, February 16, 2013, 9:00am - 12 Noon Dinner included on Tuesday evenings; Continental breakfast included Saturday Attendance at all three (3) sessions is required. Who Should Attend: International and Domestic Adoption Families waiting to adopt a child of a different race; other families wishing to enhance their parenting Gain the tools, resources, and strategies needed to parent transracially. This training is essential as you explore the option of parenting a child of a race or ethnic background different than your family. Topics include: How to help develop and support your child’s healthy identity and self-esteem The complexities of transracial parenting, and how to prepare yourself, your family, and your children for the challenges ahead Open group discussions and exercises, community and self assessments, plus panel discussions with adoptees and adoptive parents Workshop fee (Nonrefundable, and includes three sessions): $150 per person, or $300 per couple Note: These sessions are for adults only. The material presented in this training will greatly impact the nature of your parenting and family. Therefore, in two-parent families, it is imperative that both parents attend all three sessions. Please think of this training as a loving investment in your child’s healthy identity and self-esteem. Please register on-line no later than January 18, 2013. For more information about this series contact Pam Shepard, LCSW, at (630) 754-4522

Annual "A Home for the Holidays" TV Special Highlights Adoption

 

“A Home for the Holidays” is a powerful CBS special. It shares stories of foster care adoption and features performances from some of America’s most popular musical artists. The Dave Thomas Foundation has been a proud partner and participant since 1999, along with Children’s Action Network and Triage Productions. The program is generously sponsored by Wendy’s.

This heartwarming holiday special will air at 7 p.m. CT, Wednesday, December 19, 2012 on CBS, and features all-star talent. See the joy of having a family through the eyes of a child — not just for the holidays, but forever.

2012 talent includes Rascal Flats, Phillip Phillips, Matchbox Twenty, Rachel Crow and Melissa Ethridge. Presenters are Wayne Brady, Kevin Frazier and Jillian Michaels.

You can give the gift of family. Text the word HOME to 50555 to make a $10 donation to DTFA. Standard text and data rates may apply.

Project Zero Releases Benefit CD to Help Children Find Families

Project Zero, a ministry which aims to raise awareness of the need for families for Arkansas’ waiting children, recently released Grafted, a CD with songs featuring artists from all over the country, including Jason Truby, Tiffany Thornton, Willet, Caitlin Evanson, Stu Garrard, Steve Dean, Sonny Sandavol, Phil Keaggy, Cheri Keaggy, Geoff Moore, Sean Michele, The Roys, Jessica Mack, and Hannah Watson. All proceeds from the sale of Grafted will benefit Project Zero, whose motto is 1+1=0, which means that one child plus one family equals zero children waiting. To learn more about Project Zero, please click here. To purchase Grafted, please go to iTunes or click here.

New Book: The Global Orphan Crisis

I highly recommend a new book, The Global Orphan Crisis by Diane Lynn Elliot.  Diane's research, combined with her passion for children has created a must-read not only for orphan advocates but for every Christian.  Diane clearly and concisely provides reasons for the orphan crisis and follows it up with thoughtful and practical solutions. 


Diane Lynn Elliot is an author, photographer and business administrator. Her interest in the global orphan crisis started many years ago with a trip to a hospital for terminally ill children in Siberia, and later to an orphanage in Mexico. Seeing a small snapshot of the great need started her journey and fueled her passion for orphaned children. While writing The Global Orphan Crisis, Diane also traveled to Peru and Haiti, expanding her vision and passion for orphaned children. She has a BA in Communication from Trinity International University and an M.B.A. in Global Management from the University of Phoenix. Diane, her husband David, along with their Alaskan Klee Kai, Kody, live in Wauconda, Ill., and attend Willow Creek Community Church.

For more information about Diane or the global orphan crisis, please visit its website.

To listen to Diane on today's Chris Fabry Show click here:
http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_programtoday.aspx?id=18270

Safe Families Training Day

 

 

Safe Families for Children invites you to the following event:

 

Host Family Training Day !

For prospective Safe Family Hosts. 

 

* Start or submit your application

* Schedule a Home Study

* Complete your training hours

* Meet like-minded families who will support you

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:

 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

First Presbyterian Church of Evanston

1427 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201

 

For more information and to register, click here.

 

Donate Toys to Clark Howard's 'Christmas Kids'!

 

By Evening Express staff

updated 12:50 PM EST, Mon December 03, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

• 'Clark's Christmas Kids' campaign collected gifts for more than 4,500 foster kids last year
• You can donate in person at participating Wal-Marts or online

 

HLN money expert Clark Howard is teaming up with the Georgia Department of Family and Children's Services to provide a special Christmas for kids in foster care!

 

This is the 22nd year "Clark's Christmas Kids" has been collecting presents -- last year the campaign received gifts for more than 4,500 children!

 

If you live in the southeast, you can stop by certain Wal-Mart locations at certain times to donate in person. Check out ClarkHoward.com for a full list of dates, locations and times.

 

If you can't make it to a Wal-Mart in person, you can also donate directly to the Salvation Army online.

To check out Clark Howard's video click here: http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/12/03/clark-howard-christmas-kids
 

 Clark Howard shows you how to save more and spend less every weeknight on HLN’s Evening Express 5-7 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

LifeSong for Orphans: Gift of Purpose

One.

ONE less orphan. Make ONE commitment. Educate ONE student. Change ONE future. Show Christ’s love to ONE child.

LifeSong for Orphans invites you to page through their 2012 Gifts of Purpose Catalog that doesn’t just include ways you can give, but STORIES of real children, families and orphan caregivers around the world, whose lives are waiting for YOUR impact.

Would you consider making a difference in the life of ONE child? A child like…

–Nata, 12-years-old, whose soft heart is open to the Gospel in Ukraine (Give Sponsorship) or

–Cherent, who is experiencing school in Ethiopia for the first time at the age of 13. (Give Education)

 

This year join Lifesong for Orphans in giving a Gift of Purpose. A gift that will show Jesus to a child in need.

To give a Gift of Purpose, visit the new online catalog.

http://vimeo.com/53628089

Two Moms From Portland Changing the Lives of Orphans Around the World

Giving Thanks: Two Moms From Portland Changing the Lives of Orphans Around the World
by Melissa Sher
Huff Post Parents
11/21/2012

All Cindy Kaplan had hoped for was a healthy baby. But when my friend and her husband met their 6-month-old son for the first time in an orphanage in Kazakhstan, he was dangerously underweight from severe malnourishment. "Jadyn was slowly dying. He wasn't going to live much longer," said Cindy.

Jadyn's developmental growth, as a result, had been stunted. He couldn't roll over at 6 months old. He couldn't lift his head. His needs were so tremendous that Cindy quit her job to care for him. "It wasn't easy. I was struggling," Cindy said about bringing her precious son -- whom she calls her "gift" -- home to Portland in 2006.

One afternoon, Cindy went to the park to reconnect with a woman she had befriended online. Mishelle Rudzinski had adopted a child from Kazakhstan at the same time as Cindy, and they had been exchanging emails for months.

Mishelle, who had been working as a speech pathologist, had read about a 5-year-old girl's plight on a work listserv. The orphan, diagnosed by some doctors with cerebral palsy and by others with muscular dystrophy, was to be permanently transferred to a special "end-of-the-road" facility if she was not adopted soon.

Mishelle immediately contacted the adoption agency and received videos of the little girl who was to become her daughter. When Mishelle watched the videos, she saw the girl's condition grow progressively worse. As a toddler, Bakha could crawl and climb. But by age 5, she was hunched over, bowlegged and barely able to walk. At the time of the adoption, the agency had Mishelle sign papers acknowledging that Bakha might not live to age 18.

To read the rest of the article click here.

To learn more about the Spoon Foundation click here.

CCAI offers China Heritage Tours

 

China Adoptees Travel Free In China

 March 20-30, 2013 & July 14 -24, 2013

l China adoptees of all ages are FREE for in-China tours!

l Ten days and four spectacular cities: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin.

l Visit the ‘mysterious’ CCCWA (formerly CCAA), climb the Great Wall, tour the Forbidden City, be awed by the Terra Cotta Soldiers, hold a baby giant panda, cruise the poetic Li River, enjoy wonderful Chinese cuisine, and much more!

l Includes all in-China air and ground transportation, hotels, park and show tickets, and most meals during the dates listed above.

l All of this for $1,899 per non-China adoptee adult (12 or older) and $1,399 for non-China adoptee children. (Panda hugging extra.)

l Optional visit and tour to your child’s orphanage is available after the main tour (additional costs apply).

This incredible deal is made possible by a special Heritage Tour Grant from the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs!

These tours are open to everyone: CCAI families, non-CCAI families, your friends or relatives. So please spread the word! If you are a FCC chapter member in your area, please help us get the word out to FCC communities. Thank you!!!

Register online now to secure your spot: www.ccaifamily/heritagetour

CCAI is a Hague accredited adoption service provider

6920 South Holly Circle

Centennial, CO 80112

www.ccaifamily.org

Book Discussion: Fields of the Fatherless

Please join us for a

 

Pot-Luck Dinner and Book Discussion

 

 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

 

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Room F150

 

Book:  "Fields of the Fatherless: Discovering the Joy of Compassionate Living"

by author Tom Davis

 

Order you book now at Amazon.com.

 

Download your discussion guide at here.

 

Childcare is available if you R.S.V.P. with the number of children and their ages to vcministry127@gmail.com. 

Empowered to Connect Conference Coming to Chicago Area

April 19 & 20, 2013    The Chapel   Barrington,  Illinois  Empowered To Connect, together with Show Hope, hosts the Empowered To Connect Conference — a two-day conference designed to help adoptive and foster parents, ministry leaders and professionals better understand how to connect with “children from hard places” in order to help them heal and become all that God desires for them to be. The conference features Dr. Karyn Purvis together with Michael & Amy Monroe, and is ideal for adoptive and foster parents, those considering adoption or foster care and those who are serving and supporting others, including social workers, agency professionals, church staff and ministry leaders, counselors, therapists and others. Click here to read what people are saying about the 2012 ETC Conference in Dallas, Texas. Early Bird registration is open now through February 19th. Please go to www.showhope.org/connect for conference information and registration.

Dive off Fiscal Cliff to Affect Orphans & Children in Foster Care

Dive off fiscal cliff could be 'disastrous' for orphans, foster children, say advocates

 

By Joshua Rhett Miller

Published November 21, 2012

FoxNews.com

As talk of tax increases and deep cuts to government programs dominate Washington, adoption advocates are warning of another crisis should the adoption tax credit be allowed to expire at the end of the year — a potentially “disastrous” outcome for more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system.

 

Among the so-called Bush tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2012 is a one-time adoption tax credit that gave $12,650 this year to families who took in a parentless child. But unless Congress acts to extend it, the only tax credit for adoptive parents on Jan. 1, 2013, will be to those who take in special needs children from within the United States. For them, the credit will be just $6,000.

“And it’s really not going to do much,” said Chuck Johnson, president and CEO of the National Council For Adoption. “Most families adopting those kids won’t even qualify for it because of the strict income requirements. It really would be a credit unclaimed at that point and that could have pretty disastrous impact for kids awaiting adoption in foster care.”

 

Adoptive families already suffered a blow in the current year, when the credit stopped being refundable — payable even to families with little or no tax liability — and became merely a deduction.

 

Roughly 423,000 children are living in the United States without permanent families, according to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and 115,000 of them are eligible for adoption. But nearly 40 percent of those children wait longer than three years in foster care prior to being adopted.

To read the full article click here: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/21/expiration-adoption-tax-credit-could-be-disastrous-for-orphans-foster-children/#ixzz2DNQF0Ikh

International Adoption Webinar

 

Children Are Waiting for YOU to Discover Adoption

Thousands of abandoned children are awaiting adoption by a loving family. Could that be your family?

Please join us for our live webinar on November 29 at 7 p.m. CST to meet nearly 20 of these waiting kids. You'll learn about these precious children and hear adoptive families share their incredible journey.

These boys and girls vary widely in age and in types of special needs. Adoption specialists will outline the qualifications for adopting from Albania, Bulgaria, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Lithuania.

 

Live webinar viewing is limited, so don't delay. Register now: www.bethany.org/internationalwebinar . If this is not a convenient time for you, please register here for the recorded version after it has been posted.

 

 

Cinderella Moon was inspired by Richard and Jenny Bowan's Chinese daughters and is dedicated to Half the Sky, and organization founded by Jenny, that serves orphans in China. 

 

This gorgeous film – a fairytale for the whole family – brings to life the world's first telling of the Cinderella story.
The movie has played to sold-out film festival audiences and received ecstatic reviews..."Magical. Sheer entertainment. A richly told girl-power fantasy guaranteed to enchant tots and parents alike." – Variety

If you have adopted from China, you will want to experience this wonderful and little-known part of our children's heritage. 

For a limited time only, you can buy Cinderella Moon only in the Half the Sky store at a discounted price.

Watch the opening scene (in Chinese with subtitles) here:

Watch the English (dubbed) version here.

D.C.F.S. Classes Offered at Willow Creek

Below is a list of D.C.F.S. classes that will be held at Willow Creek Community Church/So. Barrington, IL. The first class is just 4 weeks away, on Saturday, Dec. 8th. The remainder of the classes will be held in 2013.

If you are interested in any of these classes, just call the DCFS registration unit at 877-800-3393. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please forward this information to them.

Please note that you must be a licensed foster parent in Illinois, or at least have identified an agency that you will be working with to participate in these classes. Our hope is that by providing these classes at this location, we would empower you and your family as you serve the child(ren) placed in your home.

Schedule:

1. Saturday, December 8, 2012- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday April 4&11, 2013-6:30 to 9:30pm

EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR FOSTER PARENTS 6 hours

The purpose of this class is to provide foster parents the basic information and skills necessary to advocate for and obtain quality special education and developmental services for the children in their care who are between the ages of newborn to 18 years old. Best practice is for this class to be taken prior to receiving a foster placement and it is mandatory to take prior to renewal of your foster care license.

2. Tuesdays, January 22, 2013 through 3/19/13- 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

PRIDE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING FOR PROSPECTIVE FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS 27 hours

The goal of this competency based training is to share essential information about fostering and adopting that will help the participants to develop into a successful foster and/or adoptive family. It will also help you to learn the knowledge and skills you need to make an informed decision about fostering or adopting and get off to a healthy start. 27 hours.

 

3. Tuesdays, March 26, 2013 through April 23, 2013- 6:30 p.m.

CARING FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA:

A Workshop for Resource Parents 15 hours

Understanding how trauma affects children can help you to make sense of your child’s sometimes baffling behavior, feelings, and attitudes. Once you understand why your child behaves the why he does or she does, you’ll be better prepared to help him or her cope with the effects of trauma. Come and learn how to become a trauma informed resource parent.

4. Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, 2013

ADOPTION CERTIFICATION “From Foster Care to Adoption”9 hours

The purpose of this training is to meet the needs of experienced foster parents who are adopting a child who they are currently fostering. It is a requirement that foster parents take this training prior to the adoption being finalized.

*Registration is required to attend these classes. Call the DCFS Registration Unit #877-800-3393

Eight Adoption Facts that May Surprise You

 November is National Adoption month.  Will you join me in using this designated time as a tool to educate and stir the hearts of people within our circles of influence?  The following video is a great place to start.  Adding it to your Facebook page, blog, tweeting it or just e-mailing it to your contacts is an easy way to be a voice for God's children.  They NEED us!

"http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ExUk0kxD-4s?rel=0"

Orphan Sunday Event at Willow Creek

 

Thousands of churches across the U.S. and around the globe will celebrate Orphan Sunday, calling Christians to reflect God's heart for orphans through adoption, foster care and global initiatives.

Please join us at Willow Creek as we host our annual Orphan Sunday event!

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington, IL 60010

Room b100 (under the chapel)

Guest Speaker C.H. Dyer, President of Bright Hope and Adoptive Dad, will talk about what adoption looks like in our world today, and why we, as believers, need to be engaged here and around the world where the local church is not. Check out Craig's bio here.

Ministry Expo: Discover serving opportunities and resources from adoption, foster care and orphan care ministries including D.C.F.S., Village to Village, Safe Families, Royal Family Kids Camp, Bethany Christian Services, Reece's Rainbow, Sunnyridge Family Center and more!

Heart Gallery of IL: View the gallery of portraits to see & pray for the names and faces of kids in foster care that need permanent families to call their own.

Pick up a hand made Christmas Stocking to fill for a child in need.

A light dinner will be provided.

Childcare is available if you e-mail the number of children and their ages to vcministry127@gmail.com.

Adoption Move to be Shown in Naperville, IL

 

 

 

The Fox Valley Adoption Group in Illinois is promoting/hosting a new movie called Somewhere Between.

 

They need to sell 73 tickets in order for the event to happen. Everyone who is interested needs to reserve their ticket with a valid credit card. Credit Cards will not be charged until the event threshold is sold.

Tickets are $10 each and must be reserved by November 19th at http://www.tugg.com/events/2052

Here's the description of the movie from the website:

In profiling Chinese adoptees in contemporary America, Linda Goldstein Knowlton's (THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SESAME STREET) deeply moving documentary illustrates that even the most specific of experiences can be universally relatable. Of the roughly 80,000 girls who have been adopted from China since 1989—a decade after China implemented its One Child Policy—the film intimately follows four teenagers: Haley, Jenna, Ann, and Fang. These four wise-beyond-their-years, yet typical American teens, reveal a heartbreaking sense of selfawareness as they attempt to answer the uniquely human question, “Who am I?” They meet and bond with other adoptees, some journey back to China to reconnect with the culture, and some reach out to the orphaned girls left behind. In their own ways, all attempt to make sense of their complex identities. Issues of belonging, race, and gender are brought to life through these articulate subjects, who approach life with honesty and open heart.

 

I'll see you there!
 

I hope you'll read the story below from the the latest newsletter from the Spoon Foundation.  This foundation seeks to improve nutrition for orphaned, fostered or adopted children.  www.spoonfoundation.org. 

Below is a snapshot of two precious, severely malnourished girls who found their forever families.  You won't believe the before and after pictures!

A little over a year ago something really important happened. We walked into a place that would change our lives forever.

We met two sweet angels. This is the first time we met Francesca. Francesca was exactly what I expected. A friend of mine had met her when she adopted her little one, so I knew a lot about her.




And little Victoria, who never, ever smiled. The orphanage director described her as having no spirit. When I first saw her, I was stunned. She was totally shut down and showed no emotions. We had to decide within a day if we wanted to adopt her. We could choose to leave her. In my mind, there was a huge risk involved.



Victoria’s eyes haunted me. When we left the orphanage that day, I couldn't’t get her eyes out of my mind. We made the decision that we couldn't’t leave her. No matter what her abilities would be, she deserved more.
To read the rest of the story, click here: http://adoptionnutrition.org/nutrition-profile-archive/nutrition-profile-12/ 

Webinar: Parenting Children with Drug Related Birth Defects

 

Alliance Webinar Series

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

 

You're Invited...

FAS and NAS: Alcohol and

Drug Related Birth Defects

 This webinar will explain FASD and NAS and offer an introductory view of their implications for the life of a family. It will discuss symptoms, assessments, the school system, daily life, and how they effect the brain. This will be a great session for those who have children affected or those that are considering adopting a child with alcohol or drug related effects. It will address many of the fears and give a real life picture of what raising children with FAS and NAS really is like. Join this session to better equip yourself to love and serve these children and families affected by FAS/NAS in your own communities and congregations.

The webinar will be led by Amanda Preston--adoptive and foster mom to 6 (several of whom are affected with FAS) and night student working towards a B.S. in Social Work.

 

 

Presenter: Amanda Preston, Speaker and Adoptive/Foster Mom

NOTE NEW DATE & TIME

Date: TUESDAY, October 30, 2012 Time: 1:00 PM Eastern

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

Parenting Class at Sunnyridge

 

Risks and Realities of Parenting

Why Do Children Do What They Do?
Saturday, October 20, 2012

9:00am - 12:00pm
Sunny Ridge Family Center, Bolingbrook

Sunny Ridge Family Center presents

DR. DAN GRIFFITH, PhD

Clinical Pediatric Psychologist

REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP

Are you parenting or preparing to parent a child who may have been prenatally exposed to alcohol, tobacco or other drugs? While parenting certainly has its many rewards, there are also risks and realities which every parent needs to be of aware of. Come hear from Dr. Dan Griffith, Ph.D., a clinical pediatric psychologist, who will provide insights on the risks and realities of parenting with these challenges - and help us better understand why children do what they do. Topics to be covered:

Parenting A Child At Risk

• Developmental tasks for children
• The effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD)
• The long-term risks and realities the exposure may present

Managing Sensory and Regulatory Difficulties In Children

• Why do children do what they do?
• The role of sensory processing in determining behavior
• A model for understanding behavior through sensory processing and sensory/regulatory concepts
• Promoting successful parenting through helping children to know what they are supposed to do and to be able to do it

$35 Workshop Registration fee
$45 for 3 CEU’s for LSW/LCSW’s (Provider #159.001117)
$45 for 3 CPDU’s for teachers, counselors and personnel who need CPDU’s (Provider #120313153244635).

FOSTER PARENTS: This workshop has been approved for foster parent training credits. Licensed foster/adoptive families can receive 3 hours of training credits.

Register two or more and save $5 per registration.

REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Dan Griffith is a licensed clinical psychologist and has years of experience in research and clinical practice with high risk infants/children and their families. Dr. Griffith has expertise in psychological/developmental/educational assessment and intervention with children, parent child relations and parental effectiveness training, research design and implementation, and program evaluation. He has worked with a number of high risk populations including: domestic and international adoptees, premature and/or low birth weight infants, infants/children prenatally exposed to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), children with sensory/regulatory problems including ADHD and autism, and children with learning disabilities.

Adoption/Foster Care Panel at Park Community Church

 

 

Interested in adoption or foster care? Join Park Community Church's Adoption Community as they bring together a panel of parents who have adopted, adoption professionals, and adults from Park Community who were adopted as children. This is a great place to ask questions, gather information, and find community on your adoption journey.

 

Adoption & Foster Care Panel

Thursday, October 25 6:30 - 9 pm

Park Community Church - Near North Campus

1001 N. Crosby, Chicago, IL 60610

312-361-0500

  Please RSVP to Renee macrenee1@hotmail.com to attend.

Orphan Sunday Event at Willow Creek

Thousands of churches across the U.S. and around the globe will celebrate Orphan Sunday, calling Christians to reflect God's heart for orphans through adoption, foster care and global initiatives.

 

Please join us at Willow Creek as we host our annual Orphan Sunday event!

 

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington, IL 60010

Room b100 (under the chapel)

Guest Speaker C.H. Dyer, President of Bright Hope and Adoptive Dad, will talk about what adoption looks like in our world today, and why we, as believers, need to be engaged here and around the world where the local church is not. Check out Craig's bio here.

 

Ministry Expo: Discover serving opportunities and resources from adoption, foster care and orphan care ministries including D.C.F.S., LifeSong for Orphans, Safe Families, Bethany Christian Services, Reece's Rainbow, Sunnyridge Family Center and more!

 

Heart Gallery of IL: View the gallery of portraits to see & pray for the names and faces of kids in foster care that need permanent families to call their own.

 

Pick up a hand made Christmas Stocking to fill for a child in need.

A light dinner will be provided.

Childcare is available if you e-mail the number of children and their ages to vcministry127@gmail.com.

To find an Ophan Sunday event in your area visit www.orphansunday.org and click on "map".

A Celebration of Christmas with FFH

Lifesong for Orphans is excited to announce an upcoming Christmas concert featuring FFH with special guests from Lifesong Zambia. This concert will provide a excellent opportunity for churches to bring awareness to their orphan ministry while enjoying a unique performance celebrating the birth of our King! Buy tickets today online* or at the door for the following locations: November 17th Olathe Bible Church / Kansas City area November 23rd The Gathering (concert & dessert) / Chattanooga area November 25th Covenant Presbyterian Church / Birmingham, AL December 1st First Baptist McKinney / Dallas area December 8th Heritage Church / Quad Cities December 9th Elmbrook Church / Milwaukee area December 13th Southern Baptist Theological Seminary / Louisville, KY December 16th Bethany Baptist Church / Peoria area A love offering will be taken during the concert and 100% will go towards orphan care! Visit our website for more information on times & tickets! *Tickets sold online have a processing fee included in the ticket price. 100% of all donations to Lifesong for Orphans will go to caring for orphans (no administrative costs will be deducted).

Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering

Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering

for Adoptive, Foster and Safe Families, and those who support them.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Willow Creek Community Church, 67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington IL

Room F150 (park in lot F and follow signs to room F150, downstairs)

 This month we are excited to have Peter Woodbine, Director of Quality and Training from Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley come and speak to us.

This will be part one of a series on the topic of working with birth parents.

BRIDGING THE GAP: The importance of working with the birth parent(including a theological perspective), Roadblocks (including grief cycle of the birth parent, and how the “system” shapes our thinking towards abusive parents), and a foster parent who will share about their recent experience interacting with a birthparent.

This is essential information to think about if you are interested in building a relationship with the parents of the children whom you are providing care. We hope you can come to hear insights from, these experienced individuals, as the Vulnerable Children’s Ministry at Willow seeks to support you in the important work that you are doing. DCFS credit hours will be awarded for all licensed foster parents who attend this meeting.

Please bring a dish to share.  Beverages will be provided.

Child care is available if you r.s.v.p.with the number of children and their ages  to Dina at vcministry127@gmail.com.